Car, cash and vacations awarded to tobacco quitters

70 per cent of Driven to Quit Challenge winners are young adults

TORONTO, April 23, 2012 /CNW/ - Amy Ladouceur of Hamilton, Ontario, was awarded a new vehicle this morning for successfully quitting smoking in the Canadian Cancer Society Driven to Quit Challenge. Ladouceur was recognized by Martin Kabat, CEO of the Canadian Cancer Society, Ontario Division, at an official prize presentation.

Now in its seventh year and funded by the Government of Ontario, The Driven to Quit Challenge is a health promotion campaign that encourages Ontario tobacco users to make a quit attempt with the support of a "buddy" for their chance to win. Since 2006, The Driven to Quit Challenge has inspired more than 202,000 registrants to make a quit attempt. More than 37,000 of those participated in 2012 alone, marking a record year for The Challenge.

Ladouceur, 28, who works in the customer service industry, chose a new Ford Edge as her prize. She was joined by nine other winners, seven of whom are under the age of 35.

"We know that young adults have the highest smoking rate in the province," says Martin Kabat, CEO of the Canadian Cancer Society, Ontario Division. "So it is encouraging to see this many young adults making the effort to quit smoking. I'd like personally to congratulate not only our winners here today, but also the 37,400 entrants in this year's Driven to Quit Challenge."

Benjamin O'Leary of Georgetown and Ken Daub of Pembroke will each enjoy $5,000 in CAA vacation getaways. Seven others each received $2,000 cash prizes. Winners were required to verify that they had not used tobacco at all during the month of March 2012. Ten support buddies were also acknowledged, each taking home a $200 cash prize.

"I was so overwhelmed when I found out I won," said Ladouceur. "I am endlessly grateful. Being in The Challenge has changed my life for the better."

"Another record year for The Driven to Quit Challenge means even more Ontarians are breaking the cycle of tobacco addiction, a huge part of our goal of keeping Ontario healthy," said Deb Matthews, Minister of Health and Long-Term Care. "I want to congratulate this year's winners, and all who participated in The Challenge, on remaining smoke-free for the month of March, and wish everyone the best in continuing their journey to quit smoking."

All participants in The Challenge are encouraged to get support to stay smoke-free by connecting with the Canadian Cancer Society Smokers' Helpline, toll-free, at 1 877 513-5333 and SmokersHelpline.ca.

The Driven to Quit Challenge is hosted by the Canadian Cancer Society, Ontario Division with funding from the Government of Ontario and generous prize support from McNeil Consumer Healthcare, a wholly owned subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson Inc. The Driven to Quit Challenge is presented in collaboration with local public health departments across the province. The public can view a full list of winners at driventoquit.ca.

About the Canadian Cancer Society, Ontario Division
The Canadian Cancer Society is a national community-based organization of volunteers whose mission is the eradication of cancer and the enhancement of the quality of life of people living with cancer. When you want to know more about cancer, visit our website www.cancer.ca or call our toll-free, bilingual Cancer Information Service at 1 888 939-3333.

For further information:

about The Driven to Quit Challenge and to speak with a Canadian Cancer Society spokesperson, please contact:

Dane Gergovich
Media Profile
416-342-1816
[email protected]